Adipocyte Stem Cells Are Maintained by PDGFα Signaling in the Skin

The study from April 30, 2016, demonstrated that Pdgfα signaling plays a crucial role in maintaining dermal adipose tissue by initiating the proliferation of dermal adipocyte stem cells (dASCs). This process is particularly active prior to the initiation of the hair follicle cycle and the generation of new mature adipocytes. The study found that during chronological aging and repeated depilation, when dermal adipose tissue is reduced, dASCs are not maintained, and Pdgfα is downregulated. This was further confirmed by the conditional deletion of Pdgfα in dermal cells, which accelerated these changes, resulting in reduced dermal adipose tissue and dASC cell number. In vitro experiments showed that Pdgfα signals through PI3K to induce proliferation and regulates genes associated with proliferation and adipocyte differentiation. These findings could be relevant for understanding age-related defects in infection, wound healing, and hair growth.